Material Planning Manager

SF Recruitment are working with market-leading manufacturing organisation in known for innovation, operational excellence, and delivering high-quality products to a global customer base. We are recruiting a Material Planning Manager to lead the planning team and ensure seamless production across multiple manufacturing areas.

Role Overview
As the Material Planning Manager, you will lead and develop a team of material planners responsible for ensuring the timely and efficient supply of materials to support multiple production lines and manufacturing areas. You will play a key role in aligning material availability with production schedules, driving planning excellence, and improving supply chain performance in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
Role would suit a senior planner with team leadership experience or an experienced Material planning/supply chain manager.

Key Responsibilities
- Lead, manage, and develop a team of material planners across multiple manufacturing areas to ensure material availability and alignment with production requirements.
- Own and drive the end-to-end material planning process, including forecasting, ordering, scheduling, and inventory management.
- Investigate and work to eradicate BOM inaccuracies/discrepancies that could effect the efficiency of the manufacturing process.
- Collaborate closely with Production, Procurement, Engineering, and Logistics teams to ensure alignment of plans and smooth material flow.
- Monitor and manage inventory levels to optimize working capital while minimizing shortages and excess.
- Develop and maintain KPIs for material planning performance, driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and responsiveness.
- Identify and mitigate supply risks through proactive planning, supplier engagement, and alternate sourcing strategies.
- Utilize and improve ERP/MRP systems to enhance planning accuracy and responsiveness.
- Support new product introductions and engineering changes by ensuring timely planning and availability of required materials.
- Contribute to S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) processes, providing insights on material readiness and capacity planning.

Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in a material planning or supply chain management role within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong leadership experience, with a track record of managing and developing high-performing teams.
- In-depth knowledge of MRP/ERP systems and advanced planning tools
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities, with the confidence to influence at all levels.
- Results-oriented, with a continuous improvement mindset and a passion for operational excellence.
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and inventory optimization strategies is desirable.